$18,000 in tax credits??

The new legislation, AB183, will provide a tax credit up to $10,000 to Californians who buy their first home or a newly constructed home. The tax credit goes into effect on May 1st.

Buyers who time it just right may also be able to qualify for the federal $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, for a total of $18,000 in write-offs. The federal tax credit is set to expire soon, though: contracts must be signed by April 30 and deals closed upon by June 30. 


 The new credit will cover home purchases made from May 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and will be available to home buyers on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the Governor's website, the tax credit will be applied "in equal amounts over a period of three taxable years."

A $100 million tax credit was approved back in February 2009 but ran out after four months. More than 10,000 Californians claimed the credit. 



Endeavor Real Estate
6518 Greenleaf Ave., Suite 28
Whittier, CA 90601
Direct: (562) 945-0317
Fax: (909) 568-2487www.endeavorRE.com 

There's No Place Like (a Clean, Healthy) Home - 10 Simple Tips You Can Implement Today!

There's No Place Like (a Clean, Healthy) Home
10 Simple Tips You Can Implement Today!


After the cold winds of winter, it's nice to finally open the windows and freshen up the house with the scents of spring. And while opening those windows can feel good, one of the best feelings of spring is getting that clean feeling back. After all, some experts estimate that 40 pounds of dirt can pile up in your home over the course of just one year!

To help you start fresh this spring, this article offers you 10 simple ways to make your house clean and healthy.


Words to Live (and Clean) By
Tip #1: Clean regularly. It sounds simple, but it can be hard to implement and stick to when life gets in the way. There are a few things you can do to make it easier to stick to a regular cleaning schedule. The first tip is to actually design a schedule. Make a plan to tackle some of the biggest projects, like vacuuming or cleaning the bathroom–one each day of the week if necessary. You can also make sure the work is divided between all the members of the house; that way, the work doesn't fall onto one person's shoulders and children learn a sense of responsibility.


Tip #2: Eliminate clutter. One of the quickest ways to keep a clean house is to make sure it never gets too dirty or cluttered. To avoid it, make a point to quickly pick up high-traffic areas (like the kitchen, dining room, and family room) each night before heading to bed. You'd be amazed what a few minutes of straightening can accomplish. In addition, you can also keep a box ready for items that should be thrown away or donated. For more information on eliminating clutter and getting organized, check out our past article on strategies to get organized.


Make the Living Room More Livable


Tip #3: Dust down. Dusting can be a real pain…and can create a big mess with all that dust flying around. To help minimize the mess (and isn't that the goal in the first place?), remember to dust from top to bottom–starting with cobwebs near the ceiling and high shelves.


Tip #4: Buy plants. Plants can be pretty amazing. They help clean the air and constantly breathe oxygen into your home. In addition, they add a cozy, welcoming feeling to just about any room.


Kitchens and Bathrooms


Tip #5: Go chemical free. These days, more and more people are going chemical free for their cleaning products…and for good reason. As we reported last May in our article on toxic-free cleaning, the average household cleaner may include chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. If that wasn't bad enough, most conventional cleaning products are produced using a petroleum-based formula. That's right, petroleum. For more information on safe, natural cleaning products and for cleaning tips, visit www.simplyneutral.com.


Tip #6: Freshen towels. Wet towels can be a breading place for mold and mildew. Unfortunately, it's all too common to use the same towel again and again and again. To eliminate the potential problem, remember to change towels after just a few uses. You can also try to hang towels to dry near a heating element immediately after using them.


Windows to the World


Tip #7: Open often. We all like to seal up the house during the cold winter or humid summer days. But when the weather permits, don't forget to open up those windows and get the air moving again to clear out the stale air inside your home.


Tip #8: Clean screens. Most everyone hates doing windows–all those streaks can be a pain. Instead of putting it off, make sure you clean your windows at least every six months, inside and out. When you do, don't forget the screens. Dirt and allergens can really build up on the screens, which means they'll be blowing into your house every time you open your window.


Tip #9: Consider the curtains. Window screens aren't the only things capturing dirt and allergens. If you have heavy curtains that haven't been cleaned in a while, it's probably time for a good cleaning. While they're down, you may want to consider which rooms really need curtains. If you don't need them in a room for privacy or to break the harsh sun, you might consider eliminating the dirt trap altogether.


Final Thoughts


Tip #10: Get help. Let's face it–you're busy. Sometimes, the best step is admitting that you simply can't do it all by yourself. If that's the situation you face, it may be time to consider hiring a little help. The best news is that it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. You can hire a house cleaner or even a local college student to clean every other week or even once a month. Better still, you can talk to the person about just doing the one or two cleaning jobs that take you the most time or are often overlooked. That way, you can keep the cost down, while keeping your house fresh and clean.


Remember, the best tip to follow is to do a little cleaning every day–even if it's something small. Whether you quickly straighten a room or replace the towels in the bathroom, a few minutes can go a long way to making sure your home is clean and healthy.

Home Maintenance Tip-Keeping your water Heater Fit

Most people don't give much thought to their water heater - they just turn on the faucet and expect hot water to come out. Water heaters are relatively maintenance free, and you can keep your water heater in peak operating condition just by performing two simple maintenance tasks every six months: test the pressure valve and then flush the tank.

If the pressure release valve is not operating properly, the tank can potentially over pressurize and explode. Flushing the tank prevents sediment build up, which can reduce your water heater's energy efficiency and clog your water lines. Consult your owner's manual or other maintenance guide for instructions on how to safely perform these maintenance tasks.

7 Smart Strategies for Remodeling Your Kitchen

When planning a kitchen remodeling project, keep the same footprint, add storage, and design adequate lighting so that you preserve value and keep costs on track.

If you're contemplating a kitchen remodel, you’re also weighing a considerable investment. But a significant portion of the upfront costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. Kitchen remodels in the $50,000 range recouped 76% of the initial project cost at the home’s resale, according to recent data from Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. To make sure you maximize your return, consider these seven smart kitchen remodeling strategies.

1. Establish your priorities

Simple enough? Not so fast. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends spending at least six months planning before beginning the work. That way, you can thoroughly evaluate your priorities and won’t be tempted to change your mind during construction. Contractors often have clauses in their contracts that specify additional costs for amendments to original plans. Planning points to consider include:

• Avoid traffic jams. A walkway through the kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide, according to the NKBA. Work aisles for one cook should be a minimum of 42 inches wide and at least 48 inches wide for households with multiple cooks.
• Consider children. Avoid sharp, square corners on countertops, and make sure microwave ovens are installed at the heights recommended by the NKBA—3 inches below the shoulder of the principle user but not more than 54 inches from the floor.
• Access to the outside. If you want to easily reach entertaining areas, such as a deck or a patio, factor a new exterior door into your plans.

Because planning a kitchen is complex, consider hiring a professional designer. A pro can help make style decisions and foresee potential problems, so you can avoid costly mistakes. In addition, a pro makes sure contractors and installers are sequenced properly so that workflow is cost-effective. Expect fees around $50 to $150 per hour, or 5% to 15% of the total cost of the project.

2. Keep the same footprint

No matter the size and scope of your planned kitchen, you can save major expense by not rearranging walls, and by locating any new plumbing fixtures near existing plumbing pipes. Not only will you save on demolition and reconstruction, you’ll greatly reduce the amount of dust and debris your project generates.

3. Match appliances to your skill level

A six-burner commercial-grade range and luxury-brand refrigerator might make eye-catching centerpieces, but be sure they fit your lifestyle, says Molly Erin McCabe, owner of A Kitchen That Works design firm in Bainbridge Island, Wash. “It’s probably the part of a kitchen project where people tend to overspend the most.”

The high price is only worth the investment if you’re an exceptional cook. Otherwise, save thousands with trusted brands that receive high marks at consumer review websites, likewww.ePinions.com and www.amazon.com, and resources such as Consumer Reports.

4. Create a well-designed lighting scheme

Some guidelines:

• Install task lighting, such as recessed or track lights, over sinks and food prep areas; assign at least two fixtures per task to eliminate shadows. Under-cabinet lights illuminate clean-up and are great for reading cookbooks. Pendant lights over counters bring the light source close to work surfaces.

• Ambient lighting includes flush-mounted ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and track lights. Consider dimmer switches with ambient lighting to control intensity and mood.

5. Focus on durability

“People are putting more emphasis on functionality and durability in the kitchen,” says McCabe. That may mean resisting bargain prices and focusing on products that combine low-maintenance with long warranty periods. “Solid-surface countertops [Corian, Silestone] are a perfect example,” adds McCabe. “They may cost a little more, but they’re going to look as good in 10 years as they did the day they were installed.”

If you’re not planning to stay in your house that long, products with substantial warranties can become a selling point. “Individual upgrades don’t necessarily give you a 100% return,” says Frank Gregoire, a real estate appraiser in St. Petersburg, Fla. “But they can give you an edge when it comes time to market your home for sale” if other for-sale homes have similar features.

6. Add storage, not space

To add storage without bumping out walls:

• Specify upper cabinets that reach the ceiling. They may cost a bit more, but you’ll gain valuable storage space. In addition, you won’t have to worry about dusting the tops.

• Hang it up. Install small shelving units on unused wall areas, and add narrow spice racks and shelves on the insides of cabinet doors. Use a ceiling-mounted pot rack to keep bulkier pots and pans from cluttering cabinets. Add hooks to the backs of closet doors for aprons, brooms, and mops.

7. Communicate effectively—and often

Having a good rapport with your project manager or construction team is essential for staying on budget. “Poor communication is a leading cause of kitchen projects going sour,” says McCabe. To keep the sweetness in your project:

• Drop by the project during work hours as often as possible. Your presence assures subcontractors and other workers of your commitment to getting good results.
• Establish a communication routine. Hang a message board on-site where you and the project manager can leave each other daily communiques. Give your email address and cell phone number to subs and team leaders.
• Set house rules. Be clear about smoking, boom box noise levels, which bathroom is available, and where workers should park their vehicles.

Consumers spend more money on kitchen remodeling than any other home improvement project, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute, and with good reason. They’re the hub of home life, and a source of pride. With a little strategizing, you can ensure your new kitchen gives you years of satisfaction.

John Riha has written six books on home improvement and hundreds of articles on home-related topics. He’s been a residential builder, the editorial director of the Black & Decker Home Improvement Library, and the executive editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. His standard 1968 suburban house has been an ongoing source of maintenance experience.

By: John Riha

Published: September 21, 2009 From www.Houselogic.com